Abstract
Electronic waste (e-waste) disposal poses a major health concern in developing countries. We investigated whether prenatal exposure to e-waste pollutants affects sex hormones and oxidative status. Parturient women living in an e-waste recycling site (exposed subjects, n = 46) and a reference site (referents, n = 44) were recruited. Compared with referents, the levels of sex hormones estradiol and progesterone were significantly elevated in exposed subjects (P<0.05); a significant increase in the mRNA levels of estrogen receptor alpha and beta, and a significant decrease in the mRNA levels of progesterone receptor were detected in exposed subjects (P<0.05); a significant increase in malondialdehyde, and suppression of the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (P<0.05) were observed in exposed subjects. Our results revealed that sex hormones and oxidative homeostasis were disrupted in pregnant women and their fetuses at the e-waste recycling site.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
